♫ Album Review: Usher – Here I Stand ♫
After 4 years, Usher finally emerges from the success of Confessions, as well as a new marriage and his first born child, to release a brand new album, titled Here I Stand, which hits stores this Tuesday.
I have to admit, there had been a few tracks to leak, but not to severely peek my interest. My initial thoughts were that Usher and his label were stalling because he was unable to come up with some material that could trump the hugely successful Confessions, which was covered in controversy (he and Chilli had a very public relationship, not to mention break-up) and littered with bunches of wonderful material. Then, a Rich Harrison-produced track, featuring one of Usher’s favorite collaborators, Ludacris surfaced and my confidence was restored, however I was let down when I found out the song would not be the first single, and later that it wouldn’t even appear on the album.
It took me a minute to become acquainted with Usher’s first single choice, the Polow Da Don-produced and Jeezy-featured, “♫ Love In This Club,” but I soon caught on, especially after the remix, featuring Beyonce and fan favorite, Lil’ Wayne. The flame of interest was rekindled and songs started to leak.
Honestly, I wasn’t impressed at first – but the album grew on me as I listened more. Here I Stand is actually a pretty solid effort in its entirety, considering the success and greatness of Confessions, tapping producers Bryan-Michael Cox, Dre & Vidal, Danjahandz, Stargate and Jermaine Dupri to helm most of the project. With cameos from Jay-Z, Young Jeezy and Will.I.Am, to name a few, the new album has its moments where vocally and musically, I’m brought back to Confessions (check out “Trading Places” and the Jay-Z featured “Best Thing”). Stand-out tracks include the afore mentioned, as well as the Danja-produced “Appetite.”
Check out Usher on MySpace and make sure you pick up your copy of his new album, Here I Stand on the 27th of May!
The album itself isnt cohesive and is too slow….there are a few jams but Confessions was WAY better!
I’m surprised at how bad it sucks. I’m not a big Usher fan but have never been able to deny when an artist does GREAT work and Confessions was just that, GREAT WORK. This album seems poorly directed and composed. For someone who essentially corners the R&B and pop market I expected more.
So far the album is just ok. I dont like the song the Painter but I commend Usher for never giving up! God bless Him!
Couldn’t you have written more about the album itself, though? I got nothing of the sound…what do I expect?
I’m so saddened by this effort.
I’ve been a fan for so many years
and this album is NOT doing it
for me. Whyyyyyyyy Usher!
I grew up with Usher & a die hard fan I couldn’t wait to here the cd.
The cd is great to me and I listened to it on Sat at work. My faves are Here I Stand, Moving Mountains, His Mistakes, Appetite,Best Thing, Love You Gently, Trading Places. Basically the whole cd I know people will compare it to Confessions and it is hard to follow up a SMASH cd like that but Here I Stand is a great body of work. There is a whole lot of Tameka loving on it but what was he going to talk about. I will be buying it on Tues.
Well I always stood by my opinion that 8701 was better than Confessions, just ever so slightly.
Not wholly impressed with this one, but might let it grow on me.
You’d think Usher=A shoe-in for R&B album of the year, but this one really misses that, and espeically when u got other cats bringin out better records.
…oh and this review dont really says much about what the tracks are like.
boooo
This album is very disappointing. It’s just ok, I expected so much more considering all the time that was taken off. Well, now I’m left anxiously awaiting Ashanti’s comeback and I don’t think she’s going to let me down!
I believe this album signifies Usher’s maturity and growth in the past couple of years. He is a different man, more grown-up, and this album reflects that. Whether or not he left his “My Way”/”Caught Up” creative and fun-loving days in the past is in question.
I miss his exciting tracks … this is a nice album, but not a classic, esp. compared to his earlier bodies of work.
I’m just not feeling him this time around, then again I’ve never really been a big fan.
I heard the whole album
&& THOROUGHLY dissapointed !
its sad that he cudnt provide a step
up from confessions (which is favorite!)
I cudnt even listen to every track.
nothing was catching my interest .
to be honest I hope he comes
out with Best Thing because
its the only one I found myself
enjoying….in the leat bit…..
slimgoodz
i just don’t feel usher anymore. :[
nothing.
its a sad feeling. i used to get excited
when i heard his CDs… now.
sigh.
I don’t think this album is better than Confessions in no way,but there’s some good songs on here that I like. Love you Gently, Echo, Trading Places etc are my favs
this is one of the worst albums I have ever heard in my life. It’s like he was trying to be Justin Timberlake, and Robin Thicke. Guess what…he failed! Dude will probably come out with another album really soon once everyone learns how much this one sucks balls!
As much as he would like to ignore the reality, Usher is not on game. He’s fallen and can’t get up! First of all, he needs to acknowledge the fact that his choices in life (namely dropping his mom and marrying “that woman”) have had a negative effect on his career. He has alienated his fan base and it shows. He needs a serious media makeover and if that involves getting rid of “that woman” then so be it! Either you’re going to be a laughing stock or a star Ursh, you make the choice!
Until you get some things straightened out on the home front, you can officially count me out as a fan! I never was that crazy about him but his antics and disloyalty to his family was the straw for me! He made beautiful music with Chili and his mom by his side. Now he’s making bullshit with a bull dagger for a wife. Damn shame….
I am a Usher fan but I’m just can’t buy this CD. I’m not feeling the passion and intensity in his voice. These songs are not his vibe. I do commend him for trying something different but this wasn’t it in my opinion. Confessions was a solid effort all the way around. I really feel this new CD is his worse. Still love him, but not feeling Here I Stand…
My general interest in his new material aint what it used to be. Plus he don’t get me all hot and bothered like he used to either. Lol
I am so disappointed with this album. I wasn’t a big fan of Usher’s music before confessions and now I’m not once again. I was really looking forward to buying this album but now it looks like I’m headed straight to the bootleg spot. He better step his game back up before Chris Brown takes his spot.
I like the album but I don’t love it…its hella slow and although I love his love songs I didn’t expect fir the whole cd to be full of them. At least its true to his life b/c he is a husband and father now. Its just not the Usher we know and love. I love appetite,love you gently and what’s a man to do…appetite would be a hot 3rd single. Its a good album but Confessions was great.
People aren’t feeling Usher this time around or his music because they’ve got some sort of psychotic grudge against his “ugly” wife. It’s ridiculous. Wasn’t the lead single to Confessions, “Yeah”? I’d like someone to explain to me how that’s somehow different than “Love in this Club.” And how all 99 versions of the song “Confessions” differs from “Moving Mountains”? This is the same Usher…the only thing that has been introduced into the equation is Tameka and she is indeed why you’re all hating on the man.
Another half-assed review from Brian.
Looks like I will be burning a copy of this cd…
I love this album. I know that there will never be another confessions album. But this is a good comeback for usher, the best album out so far this year. I can listen to the whole cd without changing so you know its good.
I love Usher to death but the singles I’ve heard are really disappointing. I fell asleep during trading places. I seriously think his personal life is really interfering with his music life. I was still going to get the album but when I went on Amazon to review the snippets, I was dreadfully disappointed, I’ve never had to put myself in a predicament where I would have to question Ushers’ album. i guess I’ll look forward to Ashanti’s album.
Something does seem a little off about his music. I could care less about his personal but I’m not feeling the passion anymore. I like “Moving Mountains” but I’m not buying the whole album after reading all these reviews from die hard fans that claim the album isn’t up to their standards, and I’m not even a diehard fan myself. Maybe I’ll just purchase some singles from Itunes. I refuse to pay for a whole album that isn’t anything less than a classic and I’m not going to wait to download a mediocre album for free either.
I listened to his whole cd on MTV”s The Leak and I was disappointed. I’m not feeling all of the slow songs and for me Here I Stand is just ok, if even that. Looks like I will continue to bump Confessions for a long, long time to come.
Love you Gently is my jammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! the album is ok…but 8701 is the best album to date!
i am sure its not that bad. I am going to take a listen to be the judge of that. well come check out my blogg.
Okay… this may be stretching it…. but did y’all notice that Usher’s new album cover has a car in the background…. AND…. Chili’s new cover has her IN a similar car?!?!?!
I noticed it and through I would share. Again, it may be pushing it… but hey!
I think it’s a pretty good album and people should give it a chance to marinate. I also think people will be surprised at the number of singles that Ursh will pull off this album.
Everybody was talking about 8701 last week I pulled mine out on Sat and I forgot how good of cd it is I Don’t Know is still my jam.
Seems you’re not impressed with the CD? :: sigh ::
Maybe it’ll sell anyway, ’cause you can’t tell these days.
For example, I still don’t get the success of Alicia Keys’ CD; I thought it was mediocre in the extreme; if that’s possible.
#22 even if that is the truth, it plays a main factor in his career. No one is hating…I honestly believe people have lost interests because of the way he handled his personal life. Calling people haters, and lefting his mother has turned some fans completely off. Now he is facing the backlash. It’s sad, it really is. But it’s truth and you can’t misinterpret that for hating. Now after all that he knew himself he would probably face this issue it will more than likely show in record sales. Plus he is not sexy symbol for alot of young women, especially when they see him in pics…she is always there. It’s like he has a watch dog LOL
I was never a real fan, but I do like 2 songs off the album. Best Thing and Moving Mountains, so yes I will be burning a copy =)
I’m not hatin, but its really not that great, I don’t even like the first track at all, I waited for it to grown on me but it doesn’t!!! I am truly an Usher fan and his shit is usually fire, I loved every track on Confessions, and the majority on My Way and 8701 but, if this is where you stand Usher you may want to fall back a little and try again!!!
@34 I really wanted to be an A.Keys fan but outside of every single she has put out I don’t like any of her cds. The first two I gave away to my friends she bores me.
Beyonce Bday was cool I still play it but I really hope her new cd is a lot better.
I think that this is a great album but lemme tell you why a lot of you are disappointed. The reason why most of you are disappointed is because you are comparing it to Confessions. Confessions has a whole different sound. Plus when he made Confessions he was single. Now he is married and lot of people can’t relate to that. I happen to be in a relationship and my girl and i are feeling album. So please if you can help it stop comparing Here I Stand to Confessions. You dont give the music chance if you are comparing it to a past project.
Not worth buying…it took two remixes before I started to enjoy the first single. Now this mess? I’ll just download what’s worth hearing the remix baby…
ahhh this album was about growth you guys on here str8 comparing hes at a diff place grow wit him this album was real mellow it reminds me of some of robin thickes music i know u guys expect more of that seduction and dot com type stuff hes just tryin something diff its about chapters people next go round who knows he mite be divorced n yall get back the drop pants shirt off usher haha i think it was a solid effort mature and this is comin from a 20 yo lol brian buddy u cudd put up whats ur name n here i stand like two more joints ahh shucks
@ 34.Stepuz
I don’t want to get started with the Alicia album, but I do agree his album will still sell, cause he’s Usher. I have never stated any negative comments toward his personal life, but it’s clearly evident that his personal life has dominated the CD selection and how he is marketed. I really do wish him the best.
@ STEPUZ
I agree Alicia keys album was nothing to write home about her first two albums were much better but anywho…..i’ve only heard two songs from this album so i gotta hear a few more before i buy it.
And Brian please……..learn how write a music review, cos what you’ve written tells me nothing about what to expect in terms of the lyrics and the sound of it.
IF USHER’S FALLEN OFF HOW COME LOVE IN THIS CLUBS BEEN SUCH A BIG SUCCESS THEN HMMMMMMMMM?!!?
AND EVEN THO IM KINDA LET DOWN BY THIS CD, I DO AGREE THAT PPL R JUST CONVENIENTLY BASHING HIM FOR MARRYING TAMEKA FOSTER. PLEASE THAT DRAMA SHOULD BE LEFT IN 2007. WE DONT KNOW HIM OR HIS WIFE, FOR ALL WE KNOW, SHE MAY BE A REAL NICE KIND CARING HUMAN BEING.
LIVE AND LET LIVE, THATS WHAT I SAY.
BUT REALLY….THIS REVIEW DOESNT SAY ANYTHING APART FROM WAFFLING ABOUT USHERS RECENT HISTORY AND WHO HE WORKED WITH.
MAYBE THERE NEEDS TO BE A TRACK-BY-TRACK REVIEW.
…AND LOL ITS FUNNY HOW HATERS ACTUALLY TRY AND JUSTIFY THEIR HATE FOR TAMEKA.
JEALOUS ASS HOES CANT EVEN GET NO MAN
This album seems like garbage compared to Confessions. What was he thinking. And for the in the club remix why put B on there when you already got someone as hot as Keri Hilson who I might add can also sing as well as be great eye candy on the song. I mean damn help boost her career B is getting old and I’m tired of hearing her and Lil Wayne’s voices. What the hell was he saying through that whole verse.
But I’ll give the album a shoot I didnt think Confessions was gonna be alll that great and boy was I wrong. But for this one I will have to try another method before I make that final purchase (Bootleg till the day I die!)
I love Usher.. I love his music.. Confessions was the past.. And Here I Stand is the present time in his life.. He isn’t trying to be anything but him. Stop letting his personal affairs mess with your love of his music. You don’t know him, his wife or any real accounts of the things going on in his life. Enjoy the new album for what it is.. Either be a fan or don’t.. Listen or don’t..
I don’t care about Usher’s personal life like many of his upset fans but after having Confessions on my ipod for years and listening to this album I can’t say how dissapointed I am with the effort. The excuses about growing is irrelevant because the songs just aren’t that good.
The only songs I like are Trading Place, This Aint Sex, and Moving Mountains. The rest of them just don’t fit well with Usher. He sure does indirectly talk about his marriage alot which is kind of annoying. I know he’s trying to be more mature but is their a reason that he must talk about this repeatedly on the album?
Well all the best Usher.
I also heard that Usher have filed for divorce three weeks ago a wonder if its true?
It seems that y’all are just hatin’ on the boi because he married Tameka, if he was still with Chilli, y’all would be talking about how dope his album is. Mind you, I haven’t heard it yet in its entirity, but I’m definetely going to pick it up when it drops tommorow. On another note, although I loved “Confessions,” “8701″ is still my favorite Usher record.
Let’s just stick to reviewing the music instead of his personal life. Yeah, I don’t like how he just up and fired his mother when she invested so much into his career, but then again I don’t know the whole story, so I can’t really judge.
DAMN, USHER LET ME DOWN, MARIAH LET ME DOWN, JANET LET MEE DOWN AND ALICIA’S ALBUM WAS OK! BEYONCE BETTER BRING HER A+ GAME ON HER NEXT ALBUM!
I really hope they didn’t break up…
I LOVE HIS CD!!!! Trading Places, Appetite, Moving Mountains, Echo, Love You Gently, Before I Met You… the lyrics are fire! His vocals are strong and this album is nothing like confessions. It’s about the man he’s become from the love he shares with his crazy wife. Like he said in one song “I made my confessions a long time ago”! And who ever said Chris Brown will take his spot is retarded. CB’s whiny vocals are NOTHING compared to Usher. And I like CB! But don’t hate!!!!!!
Usher is an amazing artist, this album is about the space he is in right now…so yall need to move on from confessions….there are amazing songs on this like:
Before i met you
what i man supposed to do etc
Really enjoy the album. Haterz get a life!
very poor review,more about the songs and less about the producers next time.
the cd is excellent,its a lot like confessions in that it wont grab you straight away,theres the obvious tracks that will,but on a whole you have to listen to it a few times to really get it,once you get it your hooked.
will work for love is a lovely song which he should release,not a typical usher song,not even a typical R&B song,but a song that could do big things.
appetite is another stand out track,another future single,a song that surprised me was the song featuring will i am,will hasnt really done it for me as a solo artist or on collabos,but the joint they have together is really good.
its a really good cd,if your an usher fan youll know that ushers cd`s are the sort of cd`s that grow,you dont listen to it and love it,but a few months later your done with it.
trust me,this cd will still be relevant in years to come,thats the measure of the man and his talent.
By the looks of these reviews I may purchase the album I was going to give it a chance but I doubt it . I took awhile for his single to get me going. I like the remix with TI only. I downloaded Moving Mountains and immediately hated it. *two snaps in a circle*
I listen to it on itunes first but if it is indeed slow~~ not gonna get it
LOLLYPOP
Monday, May 26, 2008 /
As much as he would like to ignore the reality, Usher is not on game. He’s fallen and can’t get up! First of all, he needs to acknowledge the fact that his choices in life (namely dropping his mom and marrying “that woman”) have had a negative effect on his career. He has alienated his fan base and it shows. He needs a serious media makeover and if that involves getting rid of “that woman” then so be it! Either you’re going to be a laughing stock or a star Ursh, you make the choice!
Until you get some things straightened out on the home front, you can officially count me out as a fan! I never was that crazy about him but his antics and disloyalty to his family was the straw for me! He made beautiful music with Chili and his mom by his side. Now he’s making bullshit with a bull dagger for a wife. Damn shame….
^^^^^^^That’s the hardline truth of the matter! He picked the WORST time to launch a follow-up to Confessions family and his personal life circumstances indicate he’s picked the WORST way to go about any of it!
He’s on his “A” game y’all.
Also I maintain 8701 was his best album to date!
@Saw This Coming
Yeah he on his “A” Game alright because this album was straight ASS!!!
USHER is over-rated, i knew his album was gonna suck. Love in this club is so corny and ppl ate it up. Dat is a shame. I am not buying this garbage.
anywhoo……..
PREVIEW and PRE-ORDER ASHANTI’S album THE DECLARATION, IN STORES JUNE 3RD!!!!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/...d=1211617339&sr=101-1